Is the ‘Anabolic Window' Real? What Experts Say
This all ties back to the idea of the so-called anabolic window, a period of time after exercise when the body is believed to be especially receptive to nutrients like protein and carbohydrates for muscle repair, recovery, and growth. The commonly cited window is 30 to 60 minutes post-workout, during which your muscles are supposedly primed to soak up everything you feed them, making it the ideal time to replenish and rebuild.
For decades, bodybuilders and hardcore gym bros have sworn by this timing strategy, claiming it's the best way to get the most out of every workout. They'll chug shakes the second they re-rack their last rep, convinced those extra minutes could make or break their gains. But for the rest of us (researchers included), the question still lingers: Does protein timing actually matter that much?
According to Alan Aragon, a renowned nutrition and fitness expert and researcher, it doesn't. In a recent podcast episode with Stanford University neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman, he explains that the exact timing isn't nearly as important as once believed. That means if you miss the 30-minute window, you're not missing your gains.To test his theory, Aargon and a team of researchers collected studies that compared two conditions: one in which participants consumed protein within an hour before or after exercise, and a control condition in which participants consumed protein, but not within two hours before or after training. This created a window of nutrient neglect on either side of the workout.
"Essentially, we found that as long as total daily protein was about 1.66 or 1.7 grams per kilogram of body weight, so about 0.7 grams per pound, as long as total daily protein was at that or more, then the timing relative to the training bout didn't make a difference," Aargon told Huberman.
The key here is that you still need to hit your total daily protein goal for this approach to be effective. But because your body constantly has nutrients circulating, it can pull from that internal reservoir to support muscle repair and recovery. In other words, you're not starting from empty, so you don't need to rush to eat the second your workout ends.
"This is important for people to hear because what this translates to in my ears is a very simple takeaway, which is that you don't need to obsess about the post-training anabolic window, especially if you're eating prior to training," Huberman adds.
Is the 'Anabolic Window' Real? What Experts Say first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 11, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
A record catch of krill near Antarctica could trigger an unprecedented end to fishing season
Ocean-Fisheries-Antarctic-Krill MIAMI (AP) — Trawling near Antarctica for krill — a crustacean central to the diet of whales and a critical buffer to global warming — has surged to a record and is fast approaching a never before reached seasonal catch limit that would trigger the unprecedented early closure of the remote fishery, The Associated Press has learned. The fishing boom follows the failure last year of the U.S., Russia, China and two dozen other governments to approve a new management plan that would have mandated spreading out the area in which krill can be caught and creating a California-sized reserve along the environmentally sensitive Antarctic Peninsula. In the first seven months of the 2024-25 season, krill fishing in Antarctica reached 518,568 tons, about 84% of the 620,000-ton limit that, once reached, will force the fishery to automatically close. In one hot spot, the catch through June 30 was nearly 60% higher than all of last year's haul, according to a report from the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, or CCAMLR, the international organization that manages the world's southernmost fishery. The report, which has not been publicly released and CCAMLR said contains confidential data, was shared with The AP by someone concerned about overfishing in Antarctica on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information. 'The vast majority of the krill take is from an increasingly smaller area,' said Capt. Peter Hammarstedt, campaign director for conservation group Sea Shepherd Global, which this year made its third voyage to Antarctica to document the fishery. 'It's the equivalent of a hunter saying that they're only killing 1% of the U.S.' deer population but leaving out that all of the deer were shot in Rhode Island.' Threat from climate change, advances in fishing Krill is one of the most abundant marine species in the world, with an estimated biomass of 63 million metric tons. But advances in fishing, climate change and growing demand for krill's Omega-3 rich oil – for fishmeal, pet food and human dietary supplements — have increased pressure on the krill stocks. In the 2023-24 season, a fleet of 12 industrial trawlers from mostly Norway and China caught 498,350 tons of krill — until now the largest harvest since CCAMLR began collecting catch data in 1973. AP journalists traveled to the icy waters around Antarctica in 2023 and observed how factory ships trawl in close proximity to whales whose numbers are still recovering from a century of industrial culling that nearly drove them to extinction. Underscoring the competition between humans and whales, three humpback whales were found dead or seriously injured last year in the long, cylindrical nets deployed by the vessels to vacuum up the paper-clip sized crustacean. Officials have been negotiating for years a new management plan that would balance the growing market for krill with calls for greater protection of the Antarctic Peninsula, the continent's northernmost point and an area teeming with whales and, increasingly, tourists. Currently, less than 5% of the Southern Ocean is protected — well behind CCAMLR's target and a United Nations goal to preserve 30% of the world's oceans by 2030. But a tentative deal fell apart at last year's CCAMLR meeting over a last minute proposal by the United Kingdom and Australia for an even lower catch limit than the one agreed to during talks, AP reported last year. China, objecting to the persistent Western demands, then withdrew its support for the marine reserve and refused to renew the existing management system. 'The truth was it was the UK,' Matts Johansen, chief executive of Norway's Aker BioMarine, the world's largest supplier of krill-based products, said at the United Nations Oceans conference in June. 'Just a couple days before the vote, the UK threw another suggestion and that's when the Chinese backed off.' A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office rejected that characterization and said the British government continues to push for a krill management strategy that better safeguards Antarctic marine species and vulnerable ecosystems. Catch limit restrictions expire In the absence of a deal, restrictions adopted 15 years ago to spread out the catch limit expired, allowing the krill fleet to essentially fish anywhere at any time, including in smaller habitats preferred by whales and other animals such as penguins and seals. Krill aren't just vital to marine ecosystems. Increasingly, researchers are focusing on their role as a bulwark against climate change. One peer-reviewed study last year found that krill remove from the atmosphere and store in the ocean 20 million tons of carbon annually. That's the equivalent of taking off the road 5 million cars every year. CCAMLR declined to comment on the report obtained by the AP. Ship tracking data analyzed by Global Fishing Watch at the request of the AP also showed a higher concentration of trawling. Activity in one popular fishing ground, denoted Sub-Area 48.1, appears to have more than doubled so far this season compared to the entire 2023-2024 season, according to the the U.S.-based group, which supports sustainable fishing. Javier Arata, the executive director the Association of Responsible Krill harvesting companies, whose members are responsible for 95% of the krill taken from Antarctica, said the catch limit that lapsed was always intended as an interim measure. His group supports the creation of marine protected areas in Antarctica. But it rejects waiting for a conservation deal to adopt 'ready-to-go measures' raising the quota, which he said can be much higher. 'The failure to advance management was political, not scientific,' he said. The current fishing levels, although higher than previous limits, remain sustainable and reflect the consensus recommendation of scientists before last year's deal fell apart, Arata added. — This story was supported by funding from the Walton Family Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. __ Contact AP's global investigative team at Investigative@ or Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
5 hours ago
- Forbes
Why VC-Backed Longevity Startups Are Dying In A $5 Trillion Wellness Market
Bryan Johnson's Blueprint olive oil which is called Snake Oil Why It Matters: Consumer interest in longevity and wellness has never been higher—with the global wellness market valued at over $5 trillion and VC funding in health tech and wellness surpassing $40 billion in recent years—yet startups in the space are collapsing. The disconnect highlights a deeper issue: venture capital's fast-growth expectations are misaligned with the slow, trust-based nature of healthcare and prevention. Wellness Is Booming—But Longevity Startups Are Dying But What Is Longevity, Really? Longevity isn't just about living longer—it's about extending healthspan, or the number of years one lives in good health. For example, interventions such as strength training and metabolic optimization may not directly increase lifespan, but they can delay the onset of chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis, thereby improving quality of life well into old age. According to the World Health Organization and leading gerontologists, healthspan is emerging as a key metric in evaluating aging interventions and public health priorities. The category spans preventive healthcare, full-body diagnostics, hormone optimization, cellular therapies, and even aesthetic interventions that boost confidence and perceived youthfulness. Brands like Bryan Johnson's Blueprint exemplify the consumer-facing edge of the movement—blending quantified self-tracking with extreme optimization—but longevity also includes more grounded offerings like routine lab testing, sleep coaching, and nutritional personalization. So how do these brands, services, and influencers differ from traditional healthcare or wellness? In short: they're selling proactive self-optimization, not reactive treatment. The distinction matters—and it's what both draws consumer interest and confuses investors chasing clinical or tech-style returns. Despite the cultural moment, the longevity market remains fragmented and early-stage—a point echoed by researchers at Stanford's Center on Longevity. The sector lacks clear regulatory frameworks, standardized outcomes, and unified clinical guidelines. Still, it's growing fast. The global wellness market is currently valued at over $5.6 trillion and is projected to reach nearly $8.5 trillion by 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6%, according to the Global Wellness Institute (2023). The longevity economy, a distinct but overlapping segment focused on aging, prevention, and healthspan extension, was valued at $806 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $1.4 trillion by 2029, with a CAGR of 12.7%, according to According to McKinsey, consumers are increasingly prioritizing proactive, preventive care and are willing to pay out-of-pocket for personalized solutions. But while demand is rising, the supply of startups is thinning. In just the past year, a surprising number of VC-backed wellness companies have flamed out. Ever/Body was sold in a distressed handoff. Forward Health, once valued at $1 billion, shut down completely. Modern Age folded and its assets were quietly sold. Ezra was acquired in distress. Supplement startups like Care/of and Rootine disappeared. This isn't a one-off correction—it's a systemic failure of how capital, consumer behavior, and clinical credibility intersect in the wellness economy. Forward Health's Care Pod 1. Lack of Domain Expertise Across Critical Functions Many founders came from tech or DTC backgrounds, with limited experience in running clinical businesses. From real estate strategy and medical compliance to provider hiring and treatment quality, execution failures often stemmed from a lack of operational depth. These aren't problems you can growth-hack your way out of. 2. Lack of Clinical Depth Many brands emphasized wellness aesthetics and trends without strong clinical foundations or scientific rigor. The science was often shaky—relying on user quizzes, questionable biomarkers, or pseudoscientific protocols. Without validated trials, outcome data, or respected clinical leadership, even well-designed services failed to inspire trust. 3. The Offering Wasn't Best-in-Class The actual product or service often wasn't better than traditional alternatives. Concierge solo practitioners frequently offered more comprehensive and personalized care. Ever/Body, for instance, lacked inclusive laser equipment like PicoSure, and its pricing wasn't competitive—it charged flat rates instead of the per-unit pricing typical of medspas. Slick UX couldn't compensate for mediocre clinical value. 4. Weak Retention and LTV Personalized wellness sounds sticky in theory, but most services had abysmal repeat rates. Customers might pay once for a diagnostic scan or supplement, but few became long-term users—especially when benefits were vague, untrackable, or overpromised. With low LTVs, high CACs became unsustainable. 5. Unsustainable Unit Economics Sky-high acquisition costs, underutilized staff, and real estate-heavy models crushed profitability. Even with premium branding and media buzz, the economics didn't work. Many of these startups never figured out how to make $1 in net margin, much less scale it. 6. Poor Differentiation Many platforms were undifferentiated in a crowded market. A beautiful website and wellness aesthetic weren't enough to pull customers from proven providers. When every brand offers 'personalized' care and biomarker insights, the bar moves—and many didn't keep up. 7. Consumer Trust Is Fragile in Wellness The rise of 'evidence-based wellness' was often more marketing than medicine. Consumers are increasingly skeptical of vague claims. Tally Health, for example, has faced scrutiny despite its academic backing, and critics have challenged AG1 and similar brands for overreaching promises without peer-reviewed support. Trust is everything—and fragile. 8. Platform Bloat and 'Longevity Stack' Hype Too many brands tried to be everything to everyone—offering supplements, diagnostics, telehealth, aesthetics, and coaching under one roof. Modern Age bundled all these services but failed to deliver deep value in any single domain. The 'stack' sounded futuristic, but consumers didn't want—or understand—it. While many high-profile ventures flamed out, a few companies remain—though not without turbulence. Bryan Johnson's Blueprint, once the poster child of quantified self-optimization, recently announced he's seeking a new CEO to take over operations, citing the need to 'build a profitable business and expand Blueprint to a billion people.' Despite an estimated $2 million+ spent annually on his own protocol, Johnson admitted in a June blog post that the company has not yet achieved financial sustainability. Critics have also questioned whether Blueprint's highly branded supplements and olive oil (priced at $49 for 375 mL) offer any meaningful advantages over existing premium alternatives like Graza or Kyoord. His transition from self-experimenter to the most visible biohacker influencer has generated attention—but not a proven business model. Tally Health, co-founded by Harvard geneticist Dr. David Sinclair, has also faced recent scrutiny. While it garnered initial hype for its biological age test and longevity supplement subscriptions, it has since struggled to maintain momentum. Tally has not pivoted to compounded GLP-1s, unlike others in the space. But Sinclair—long touted as a leading voice in the aging space—was recently criticized in the Wall Street Journal for overreaching claims around reversing aging. The company's high-profile scientific leadership has yet to translate into a clear growth strategy or product superiority. The hype around aging clocks and sirtuin-focused supplements may be cooling. Function Health, which acquired Ezra, has positioned itself as the next-gen diagnostics brand, offering 100+ lab tests for $499/year and promising actionable health insights. While the product experience is polished and personalized, the company has yet to disclose metrics around revenue, retention, or utilization. With competitors like InsideTracker, Thorne, and even hospitals offering similar panels, Function's long-term defensibility remains unproven. Much of the longevity ecosystem operates in a murky space—too clinical for wellness, too soft for regulated medicine. This ambiguity offers speed but comes with risk. Longevity supplements, personalized biomarker tests, and even GLP-1-alternative peptides have surged in popularity—but without FDA approval or long-term data, scrutiny is intensifying. The FDA and FTC have already issued warnings and lawsuits against several companies making unsubstantiated health claims. From personalized longevity cocktails to non-Rx GLP-1 analogs, the crackdown is coming. The agency has emphasized that diagnostics, health optimization protocols, and even AI-based biomarkers fall under medical device regulations if they're used for treatment decisions. As Tina Woods, founder of the UK's Longevity International, bluntly wrote: 'Don't say you're a longevity clinic if you aren't.' The risk of false claims, placebo-led interventions, and science-washing is high—and could derail public trust if the sector doesn't self-correct. That said, smart regulation could also legitimize the category. The compounded GLP-1 boom, for instance, is under intense FDA scrutiny—but if regulated effectively, it could usher in a new era of affordability. Abroad, models like Singapore's National Longevity Strategy, the UK's government-backed longevity clinics, and Israel's public-private healthtech pilots suggest a more integrated approach to aging innovation. Amid the wreckage, a few promising models stand out: The failure of so many wellness startups is not a referendum on aging or optimization—it's a wake-up call for how these ideas are commercialized. Longevity is complex. It resists shortcuts and shiny branding. The startups that survive will have to blend medical rigor, operational resilience, and consumer empathy. They'll need to prove not just that their protocols feel good—but that they work. The wellness gold rush hasn't cooled—it's just colliding with reality. Consumer appetite for longevity is still strong, but the era of hype without substance is ending. From VC term sheets to TikTok trends, a new wave of scrutiny is forcing startups to do more than dazzle. What's left isn't a dead sector—it's one under pressure to grow up, back up its claims, and earn the trust it once assumed was automatic.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
SIGA to Host Business Update Call on August 5, 2025 Following Release of Second-Quarter 2025 Results
NEW YORK, July 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SIGA Technologies, Inc. (SIGA) (Nasdaq: SIGA), a commercial-stage pharmaceutical company, today announced that management will host a webcast and conference call to provide a business update at 4:30 P.M. ET on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Participating in the call will be Diem Nguyen, Chief Executive Officer, and Daniel Luckshire, Chief Financial Officer. A live webcast of the call will also be available on the Company's website at in the Investor Relations section of the site, or by clicking here. Please log in approximately 5-10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Participants may access the call by dialing 1-800-717-1738 for domestic callers or 1-646-307-1865 for international callers. A replay of the call will be available for two weeks by dialing 1-844-512-2921 for domestic callers or 1-412-317-6671 for international callers and using Conference ID: 1130215. The archived webcast will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website. About SIGA SIGA is a commercial-stage pharmaceutical company and leader in global health focused on the development of innovative medicines to treat and prevent infectious diseases. With a primary focus on orthopoxviruses, we are dedicated to protecting humanity against the world's most severe infectious diseases, including those that occur naturally, accidentally, or intentionally. Through partnerships with governments and public health agencies, we work to build a healthier and safer world by providing essential countermeasures against these global health threats. Our flagship product, TPOXX® (tecovirimat), is an antiviral medicine approved in the U.S. and Canada for the treatment of smallpox and authorized in Europe, the UK, and Japan for the treatment of smallpox, mpox (monkeypox), cowpox, and vaccinia complications. For more information about SIGA, visit Contacts:Suzanne Harnettsharnett@ and Investors Media Jennifer Drew-Bear, Edison GroupJdrew-bear@ Holly Stevens, CG Lifehstevens@
